Out of sight, out of mind simply doesn’t cut it when it comes to the tread depth on your tyres. That’s because failure to monitor the condition of your tyres is a danger to both yourself and other road users. Eventually, the tread depth on your tyres will wear away below the legal limit of 1.6mm, and as such your tyres will fail to deliver appropriate, safe traction.
As the law states that your tyre tread depth should never fall below 1.6mm, negligence isn’t an excuse – and it won’t stop you from failing your MOT either. In fact, the main reason for most MOT failures is bald or balding tyres.
Defective Tyres Cause 1 in 4 MOT Failures
Confused.com found that almost a quarter (23%) of all MOT failures are caused by defective tyres. That’s a staggering 2.5 million drivers. Overwhelmingly, bald tyres in particular are the most common cause for tyre-related MOT failure.
But this is only the tip of the iceberg. In 2016, over 32,000 penalty points were issued to almost 9,000 drivers with defective tyres. Worryingly, 73% of respondents claimed they knew how to check their tyres, but only 26% knew the legal tread depth. Furthermore, one in three discovered they were driving on bald tyres only when they visited a garage.
All of this highlights the extent of the epidemic on our roads. What’s more is that the issue is likely to continue worsening, with the Department for Transport considering extending the period for a vehicle’s first MOT from three to four years.
Huge Fines Face Drivers
There aren’t many drivers on the road that know quite how much they can be fined for driving on defective tyres. That’s perhaps one of the main reasons why so many people continue to drive on their defective tyres even after they realise they’re illegal.
For instance, 34% of drivers don’t change their tyres straight away because they claim they don’t have the time, and a quarter say they simply can’t afford it. But only 3% of all drivers know that they can be fined up to £2,500 per tyre if they’re caught driving on defective or bald tyres. If they did, it’s very likely there wouldn’t be a problem at all.
Confused.com estimated that the total potential fines facing UK drivers in 2016 reached £27 million – but it doesn’t need to be this way.
How to Avoid Defective Tyres
Avoiding the worst fines and, more importantly, ensuring that you’re always driving safely on the road is relatively easy. Simply check your tyres regularly to see if they have become excessively worn.
The 20p check is a core test here. Take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread of each of your tyres. If the outer band of the coin is still visible, the tyre’s tread is below the legal minimum and you’ll need to change it.
Alternatively, if you’re worried that your tyres aren’t safe, you can book your vehicle into your local garage to have a professional assess them.
That’s where Universal Tyres can help. With garages throughout the South East of England, over 90 years of experience and Michelin Certified Centre accreditation, there’s simply no one better to assist you with all your tyre queries than us.
Our professional team are able to assess the status of your tyres and ensure they’re up to standard. Likewise, we offer a wide range of premier tyres, as well as a reliable and comprehensive tyre fitting service for your complete peace of mind.
To find out more about how Universal Tyres can help you, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team today.